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The Tennis Gear Dictionary
In this article, you’ll find explanations of common terms used in tennis gear names, such as Pro, Lite, and Tour.
Racket Terms
Here are the most common tennis racket terms.
B
Balance: Indicates if the racket is weighted more toward the head or the handle.
C
Challenge: Middle-intermediate level gear offering a good balance between performance and price.
Control Rackets: Refers to heavier rackets with smaller head sizes that generate less power, allowing for greater precision and shot placement.
D
Dampener: A small piece of rubber integrated into the string bed that alters the sound and feel of the shot.
F
Flex: Tells how stiff or flexible the racket is.
G
Grip Size: The thickness of the racket handle, usually numbered from 1 (smallest) to 4 (largest).
H
Head Size: Size of the racket’s head in square inches.
L
Lite: Lighter series of rackets.
M
(MP) Midplus: Refers to head size, usually around 100 square inches, which is the average.
O
(OS) Oversize: Extra-large head sizes, usually over 105 square inches. These rackets provide more forgiveness, power, and comfort.
Overgrip: A thin grip that is applied on the top of the base grip. Easy to apply and can be used to increase the racket’s grip size.
P
Power Rackets: Usually medium-weight rackets (around 300 grams or 10.6 ounces) with 100 square inch head sizes, designed to generate more power through their build.
Pro: High-performance rackets designed for advanced players. They are usually heavier and have smaller head sizes to provide excellent control and precision.
R
Replacement Grip: The thicker main grip on the handle.
S
SL (Super Light): Second-lightest series of rackets, usually designed for younger players.
Spin: A racket designed to help generate more spin, usually through an open string pattern or specific weight distribution.
T
Team: Usually a lighter, entry-level series of rackets designed for beginners or casual players. of rackets.
Tour: Similar to Pro but slightly more affordable series.
U
UL (Ultra Light): Lightest series of rackets, usually designed for senior players.
Shoe Terms
Here are the most common tennis shoe terms.
A
All Court: Shoe series designed for all court surfaces.
C
Clay Court: Shoe series designed for clay courts with a specific (herringbone) sole pattern.
L
Lite: Lighter and more affordable series of shoes.
P
Pro: The second-highest series of tennis shoes, designed for top performance and durability.
T
Team: Usually the most affordable version of a specific shoe model, designed for beginner to intermediate players.
Tour: High-performance tennis shoes designed for serious players, offering advanced support, durability, and stability for competitive play.
String Terms
Here are the most common tennis string terms.
C
Control Strings: Usually refers to stiffer, firmer strings that provide more control by flexing less on impact.
P
Power Strings: Strings designed to be more elastic and flexible, allowing for greater energy return and helping players hit with more power.
R
Reel: A 200-meter spool of tennis string used by stringers to restring rackets, keeping the string organized and ready for use. Enough for about 18 rackets.
S
Set: About 12 meters of string, enough for 1 racket.
Spin Strings: Usually softer strings with a rougher surface that help players generate greater spin on the ball.
Bag Terms
Here are the most common tennis bag terms.
Bag Sizes
6-Pack: A smaller bag designed to hold up to 6 tennis rackets, usually featuring one or two compartments.
9-Pack: A medium-sized bag that fits up to 9 tennis rackets, typically with two or more compartments.
12 (or more)-Pack: A large, tour-level bag that can hold 12 or more tennis rackets, usually equipped with three or more compartments.
T
Thermal Protection: Thermal layering that protects the rackets from heat.
Tour: Highest quality tennis bags with the most space.
